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A irama t« 3Fo«r Arts 

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BY 

CHARLES H. SECCOMBE 

AND 

BIRGER ELWING 

■ 

lel 

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 





A irama tit 3Fmtr Arts 



[H 



BY 

CHARLES H. SECCOMBE 

AND 

BIRGER ELWING 



m 



Copyright, 1912 
By Charles H. Seccombe and Birger Elwing 



SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 



^ .^ 






TMP96-007331 



'CI.D 31543 




Characters 

JOSEPH \ ^^^^ ^^epherd Lad 

( Potiphar's Steward and Pharaoli's Overseer. 

JACOB, the Hebrew Patriarch 

REUBEN, 

SIMEON, 

LEVI, 

JUDAH, 

ISSACHER, 

ZEBULON, } ^o"« ^f J'^icob 

DAN 

NAPHTALL 

GAD, 

ASHER, 

BENJAMIN 

Hebrew Women, Children and Servants 

ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHER \ 

FIRST MERCHANT I 

SECOND MERCHANT ^ Ishniaelites 

THIRD MERCHANT ( 

FOURTH MERCHANT ) 

ZORIDA, Slave Girl 
Oriental Women 
Fortnne Tellers, 
P>oys, 

PHARAOH, Ruler of Egypt 
POTIPHAR, Captain of Pharaoh's Guard 
POTIPHAR-S WIFE 
CHIRO, Eg\])tian Nobleman 
BUTLER 
BAKER 

SAP BO, Eoyptian Maid of Potiphar's Household 
Egyptian Girl 

EGYPTIAN ASTROLOGERS 
EGYPTIAN PRIESTS 
( X uards Attendants 

( ^ourtiers MA GICIANS 

Slaves Hoys and Girls 

3 



3(osfpl| 



{The music is an important feature of the plai) and must 
he u-iseljj chosen. All musicians are to he hidden. Music du- 
rinf/ the tahleaus nnist he ajyjwopriate. ]\[nsic hefore the play 
hcfjins should he such as to prepare the andience hij airalceninf/ 
in theni a longing for the higher life. 

Much will depnd npon the light effects. Tn all the tah- 
leaus great care innst he taken that lights are not strong. Foot 
lights are to he used in moderation. The auditorium should he 
lighted gradualhf, not suddenly, after the tahleaus.) 



Prolngui? 



(Cinhiiif rises sJiowiiKj (( plain ciirldiii for barhi/roiiiiu' 
nc((r front of sUujc. One of the actors in simple flowing cos- 
tume conies to the center of stage from opening in folds of Itaclc 
curtain and delirers the prologue.) 

Before the golden age of Greece or ere blind Homer sang 
of valiant deeds, a tender slieplierd lad, so rnns the tale, ])layed 
at the door of his father's tent in rugged Canaan's land. A 
youth of vision he — whom his brethren, since they understood 
him not, and, jealous of a father's love, hated and thought to 
slay. By wiser counsel swayed and for love of gain, they sold 
the boy to wandering merchants, who brought him down to 
Egypt. By the Nile's fertile waters, he rose to great powei' 
and delivered his people when famine spoiled the laud. For so 
did the youth, by his own deserted, mid trials and temptations 
sore, forsake not his vision. 

And the tale, reciting the fortunes of the lad, si>eaks :i 
deeper language to every heart. Of loyalty, that ne'er forgets ; 
of kindness that conquers hate; of faith and courage that vio- 
late no trust; of sacred honor, more alluring than queenly 
beauty; of love and peace that conquer all. 



Tableau 1: Joseph Giving Food to His 
Brethren 

{As soon (IS prolofjffc is delivered, stage and uuditoriuin arc 
eoinpleiehj darkened. Curtain rises. Yclloiv light from eeil- 
ing of stage and from icings turned on gradualhj so as to give 
tahleau nnjstieal effect. Front of stage in sort of ticilight. 

For this tahleau the background and icinf/s are Mack. Jos- 
eph in gellow dress of Fggptian nohlennni of high rank stands 
in center near rear of stage upon a low pedestal holding out 
toward front a loaf of hread. Buck of Joseph and upon a low 
altar are three angels with win(js, in white. Each angel at the 
end holds a trag on which is hread. The center angel carries a 
wine cup. On each side of the altar incense fire hums. In the 
foreground the brethren are kneeling upon the floor toward the 
altar, i^oft orchestral or vocal music behind the scenes. 

Ill is tahleau symbolizes the meaning of the play. The 
brethren by their sordid and selfish lives which culminated in 
the crime against Joseph, were starving their better natures. 
They journey to Egypt to buy corn. The play exhibits the de- 
velopment ill them of a yearning for a higher life.. .Joseph, who 
has been tested and disciplined by temptation, is able, because 
of his victorious life, to appeal to this hunger and to awaken 
their better natures, thus giving them the true bread which they 
are seeking.) 

{Curtain falls) 

Act One 

Scene 1 

{A shepherd's camp in Canaan. Open desert scene at mid- 
day. For daylight effects:, front wings to hare soft tvarm col- 
ored lights: background to have soft blue light to suggest dis- 
tance. Foot lights and ceiling lights to be softened so as not 
to kill light effects of wings and background. 

Enter Gad and Asher, carrying wood for fire. Enter Sim- 
eon, Levi, Judah, Issaclier, Zehulon, with shepherd's crooks and 
various utensils for cooking, and provisions. They busy them- 
selves making camp. Enter Dan and Naphtali with the others 
and going to the foregrriund begin throwing dice while several 
look over their shoulders. Costumes those of Hebrew shep- 
herds. ) 

6 



Dan {shakiny dice) : I win, 1 win! 

Najjhtall : Hist, say not so. 

Dan {shakes again) : Doubles, (shakes) Doubles, [shakes) 
Doubles. Thrice, by the idol of the hills ! 

Naph.: Thou liest, thou bearded thief! 

Dan: Hayest that again, and, by the Teiaphini I I will give 
thy carcass to the beasts of the field! (they clinch. Others 
rush up and separate theai.) 
All: Hold! 

Levi: Who conieth yonder? 

Simeon : 1 see no num. 

Judah: Thou sayest well; a beardless youth is he. 

Levi : It is indeed he. 

Issacher: AVho, sayest thou? 

Levi : The dreamer conieth. 

Gad: What would he, think you? 

Asher : Pera venture, he bringeth yet a dream. 

Judah: Thus did he speak, {mockiiuj) ''Hear, I pray you, 
this dream which I have dreamed, [they guffaw) For behold, 
we were binding sheaves in the field" — 

Issacher: That were a lie; he doeth no labor. 

Judah: (mocking) ''And lo, my sheaf arose and also 
stood upright; and behold your sheaves came round about, and 
made obeisance to my sheaf.'' 

Zehulon: What mean these idle sayings? I like them not. 

Judah: Yet again spake he thus: (mocking) '^Behold, I 
have dreamed yet a dream, and behold, the sun and the moon 
and eleven stars made obeisance to me.'' 

(All show signs of anger.) 

Issacher and Zebiilon: That we will not do. 

Simeon : Let us away with this idle fellow lest our father 
bestow upon him our share of the inheritance. 

(Joseph enters wearing coat of many colors.) 

Dan, Naph., Gad, Asher, (in mock servility) : Hail Ruler' 
W^hence comest thou and whither goest? 

Joseph: My father sent me to learn of your welfare and 
to biing him word. 

Simeon: Thy father. Is he not our father too? Speak 
not haughtily in the presence of thy betters. 

Joseph : What wrong have I done ? 

7 



Dan, 'Naphtali: Wouldst thou rule over ns, Dreamer? 

Joseph'. Such was my dream. 

Levi {striking him) : (to to! Slay him who struck thee. 

Judah {seizing his coat) : And him who taketh thy coat. 

iSinieon {beginning to hind him) : Aud him who biiideth 
tliee. 

{They hind him and rush upon him us though to kill It int.) 

Joseph (in terror) : Spare me, 1 pray you. Send me back 
home. Oh my father, my father! 

Reuhen (rushing in) : Hold! Shed no blood, for he is our 
fiesh. We will cast him into a pit, but lay no hand upon him. 

[Reuheu, Gad and Aslier lead Joseph out.) 

[The other hrethren auf/rili/ iraieh the retreatin</ hrotliers 
and he gin to eon spire.) 

Simeon {to Issaeher) : Go mark the place where they put 
him and when Reuben is gone we will seize him and slay him. 
{Exit Issaeher.) 

Judah : Nay, not so. What i)roflt is it if we slay our 
brother and conceal his blood? 

Judah : But he would take from us our inheritance. Our 
father loves him above all the rest of his sous. 

Judah : I have it ! Even this morning I saw approach- 
ing from the East a caravan of Ishmaelites. Come let us 
sell him to these merchants, and let not our hand be upon him; 
for he is our brother, our flesh. 

All: That we Avill do. 

{Curtain falls.) 

Scene 2 

{(lipsg eamp. Desert secnerg, full daglight. (Uimp fire. 
Arahian tent. Oriental men, tcoinen and hogs. Old philoso- 
pher, inerehants, fortune tellers, slave girls. 

Philosopher: Here rest we from our weary pilgrimage. 
From the rivers of the rising sun, over rugged plain and moun 
tain stee}) have we journeyed. Before us lie the desert wastes 
which we must cross ere we find rest in the immortal valley of 
the Nile, toward the setting sun. Ah ! such is the pilgrimage of 
life. From the land of the rising sun doth man, a creature of 
dust, journey across the plains and mountains of youth and ma- 
turity, through the wilderness of old age, to the green valley of 
his eternal home. 

8 



First Merchant: Look at these gems. 

Second Mer. : And these silks. 

Third Mer. : Smell of these spices. 

Fourth Mer. : This pearl 1 fomul in a beggar's pack. He 
(lid not know its valne. I bought it for two shekels of silver. 

P]ii1osoj)h<'r {to shire (jirl) : Yon are my fair pearl, little 
one. 

Yjjrida (slave girl) : Are yon going to take me to Egyjit? 

Phil. : Yes, my lotns. 

(Z. begins to iveep) 

Phil.'. What is the matter? 

Z., (ireeping) : 1 am afraid of Egypt. It is fnll of magi- 
cians who turn maidens into beasts and old men into stones and 
trees. Their pyi-amids and (emj^les are full of s[)irils and 
ghosts who run tlirouglit tlie streets at midniglit, witli wild and 
horrible screams. 

Phil.: My Zorida, you are fnll of stories, stui)id stories. 
Til is is the breath of ignorance and superstition. The s]>ooks 
are in your brain, my Zorida. Egypt is a very beautiful land. 

Zorida : J^ut the people tliere wear long horns and bark 
like dogs. 

Phil. : Zorida, my frightened dove, T have seen the splen 
dor of mighty Babylon and my eyes have followed the sun de 
scending in the sea beyond the statues of Atlas. F»ehveen these 
two ends of the earth I never saw nobler or wiser jjeople than 
those who live in the valley of the Nile. 

Yjoridd : lUit their i)riests teach horrid stories and send 
the souls of men to dwell in the bodies of animals. 

Phil. : Once I heard a young Isis priest explain the mys- 
ter-y and birth of Horus, the radiant child of Isis. He said our 
true life like a butterfly freed from his chrysalis will one day 
si)read out ])0werfnl wings in the piu-e radiant ether, onr native 
country and future home. 

First Mer. : I don't understand all that. What I want is 
money, you know, and plenty to eat and drink. But tell me, 
were you not afraid when you saw the sea beyond the statues 
of Atlas? 

7^////.: Why, my friend? 

First Mer.: Why, don't you know? You could fall over 
tlie edge of the earth, you know, and never come up again, yon 

9 



know. Down below the heat is terrible, they have told me. 

Phil. : Who have told yon ? 

First Mer. : Why, once I got a lashing on my soles, yon 
know; another fellow shonld have had it, but I got it, yon 
know; and they told me that if I try to cheat poor people an\ 
more they would send me down below. I^gh ! 

Boi/s {laughing) : He got a lashing, he got a lashing, he 
got a lashing! Hooray! hooray! He got a lashing! 

First Mer. : Shut up, you red haired sons of Typhon. 

Bogs : He got a lashing. Hooray ! {merchant chases hogs) 

Philosopher: Hold! Who come yonder? 

{Enter t>)i)}ieon, Levi, Jiidah, Issacher, Zehidon, Dan, Naph 
tali, with Joseph hound. Joseph icithont coat, weeping. He- 
hrews salute.) 

Simeon (addressing Philosopher) : Peace be with thee, 
father. 

Phil.: And peace be with you. Whence do yon come and 
whither go? 

^^inieon: We be shepherds. From following our flocks 
in the wilderness have we come to greet thee and those who 
travel with thee and to show thee if need be the watering places 
for your cattle and your little ones. 

Phil.: You are welcome; for ours is a weary journey. 
From the far East we journey to the land of the setting sun. 
Here, slave, bring refreshment for these men. They be our 
friends. 

(Slaves bring leather bottles. Theg sit down to drink.) 

{Fortune tellers examine palms of several of the men.) 

First Mer.: What have you here, a slave? {Taking hold 
of Joseph's arm.) 

Judah: Thy servants are not merchants; we be shep- 
herds. 

{Merchants examine him, look at eges and mouth, feel of 
muscles and confer together.) 

Second Mer.: Will you sell this slave? 

Judah : He is a likely youth. 

Second Mer. : He is small, but he will grow. T will give 
you ten shekels of silver for him. 

Judah : We will not sell him. For who then would tend 

10 



the camp for us? Yet paradventure for forty shekels of silver 
we would let him go. 

Joseph (horror struck) : My brethren, ye Avould not sell 
me into slavery? 

Third Mer. : Forty shekels ! By the gods, he is not worth 
it. He is but a lad and will cost no small sum before he is be- 
come a man. We will give you fifteen shekels. 

Judah: Nay, but for thirty shekels will we sell him, and 
then shall we be the losers. 

Joseph: Oh, say not so. Take me back and 1 will serve 
you. Let me be a slave in the camp to carry water and hew 
wood, but send me not into bondage into Egypt. 

i^econd Mer.\ Thirty shekels! You would ruin us. If we 
get fifteen shekels in the marts of Egypt we do well. Twenty 
shekels is more than the boy is worth, but we will give it and 
not a shekel more. 

Judah : Too cheap. It is a shame — a likely youth. Yet 
because you have shown us kindness, the slave is yours. 

{Merchants count out the money) 

Joseph (clinginf/ to the knees of Judah) : Oh, send me not 
aAvay ! Keep me a slave, but send me not away ! Oh, my father I 

Joseph (as the nterehants lead him away) : Oh, my father! 
my father! [ shall see his face no more. But ye shall see him. 
Ye must see him ! Ye shall bring down his gray hairs to the 
grave ! 

{Curtain falls.) 

Scene 3 

(Tent of Jacob. Light to rescmhle sunset. Jacob in, pa- 
triarchal costume comes out and shading his eyes looks into the 
distance, returns sadly to tent. Repeats. Women busy in 
backyround. i<ons of Jacob approach front side with erident 
reluctance. Jacob comes out of tent. They make obeisance to 
their father in silence.) 

Jacob: Is it well with the lad, Joseph? I sent him to 
search you out. Saw ye him not? 

Simeon {adranciny slowly and holdiny out the coat of Jos- 
eph, blood stained) : This have we found: know now whether it 
is thy son's coat or not. 

Jacob {t(tkes coat with treinbliny hand) : It is my son's 

11 



coat, (sobs) An evil beast hath devoured him. {hrealing 
down) Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces. 

{J<ic(jh rends his (jarnwnt and throics nidntJc over his face 
and rocks to and fro with grief.) 

Jacob (rernoring mantle, sobbing) : Joseph, Joseph, ni}- 
little one, my lamb. Thou hast fallen among ravenous wolves. 

Jacob (sobbing) : O my child Joseph, my child, my child, 
Joseph! Would God I had died for thee! O Joseph, my son, 
my son ! 

(^ons and adughters ireeping and wailing seek to comfort 
him. Jacob puts than from him and lifts his arms toward 
heaven. ) 

Jacob : 1 will go down to the grave to my son mourning. 
{Curtain falls.) 

Act Two 

t^icene 1 

[Egypt. Potiptiars Itouse. Interior of rich Egyptian 
home. Rear wall consists of row of columns through which an 
open desert landscape is visible. I^cene of luxury. Potiphafs 
wife reclining on divan, central figure. She is a lady of leisure 
who has nothing to do but to be entertained. Sappo, other ladies, 
(rtfcndanfs, slaves. Mu('h activity in Ixtckground. Egyptian, 
costumes. jVoruing light.) 

Sdppo [angry and crying) : It's a lie, a lie, from beginning 
to end. 

Potiphars Wife : But, my Sappo, there is no smoke with 
out some lire. You must have been somewhere that evening, or 
rather night; for it was late, and the moon had risen. 

>>appo : It's a lie, whatever they say. I did not go to the 
(Ireat I'yramid with Philo, I went to Isis' Temple to hear the 
JJulls speak — I mean, I did not go out at all that evening. 

P. ir. [still laughing) : My Sappo, you better tell us all 
about it. You say you did not go out, and '^you went to Isis' 
Temple to hear the Holy Bulls speak." But tell us about the 
Bulls speaking, my little adventuress. 

Sa2)po [mysteriously) : Well, you know; in the middle of 
the night when the God Ra turns his radiant face to the north 
and starts back on his way from the pagan countries of the 

12 



South, the sacred animals can speak. They nnveil the path be- 
fore us and tell us stories of sweet love. 

P. TF. : Old nursery stories ! But Ero the slave did not see 
you at the Isis Temple at all, but driving with some one in the 
shadow of the pyramids. 

Sappo : T am going to cut the tongue out of that old rhi- 
noceros Ero and trim his ears close to his head and send him to 
the stone works. That will teach him not to prowl around at 
night where he is not wanted ! 

Second Girl: But who was driving for you? I would en- 
joy a moonlight ride myself if I had the chance. 

Sappo: Well, you i>ress me harder than old Uncle Taru 
his wine skin. Will you promise on your hearts not to tell a 
word to anybody? 

Both Ladies : We promise ! 

Sappo : It was as I told you. I was going to the Isis Tem- 
]^le to question the Holy Bull ; but just as we started, Bhilo, our 
friend, came along and giving my driver a coin to buy himself 
wine and to hold his peace, jumped into liis place in my chariot 
to drive me to the temple. When we came to the great Sphinx- 
way that leads to the temple, the horses took fright and would 
not take the turn, but kept straight ahead by the Obelisk. Tt 
was a glorious ride in the bright moonlight! T wish it liad 
lasted forever. 

Slave (enters, announces) : The noble Chiro. 

(Chiro, Ef/jjptian nohJcinan, ciitrrs.) 

J*. W.: I^e greeted, noble (Miiro; always young and ra 
diant, like the star of Mitra, brightest in the tirmament of men. 

Chiro: You flatter me, lady, by the holy cow tail, you flat- 
ter me. I am only a iK)()r nobleman who has to work hard from 
sunrise to sunset to nmke my \yi\y in IMiaraoh's jirmy and to 
llnd favor ;,it his court. 

P. W., (1au(/hinfj) : I suppose yoni- liard work this morn- 
ing has been to hang around the market place and h)ok over the 
Assyrian slave gii-ls brought in by the merchants. 

Chiro : Ladies, by the holy cow tail, ladies ; you wrong me. 
I never like (he girls of Assyria; they are like the cactus that 
scratches and stings with its sharp thorns. 1 like better the 
Hebrew girls. They are like the moonbeam upon the desert — 
dreamy and full of bright visions. 

13 



..p. W.: (laughing) : Yon have many experiences, my hard 
working hero of Pharaoh's army. Do not disclose more state 
secrets or yon will be arrested and served for breakfast to the 
holy crocodiles. 

Slace {enters and aniioanee.s) : A party of magicians want 
l)ermission to entertain the noble ladies and gentlemen. 

P. W.: {elapping her hands) : They are indeed welcome 
these dnll times. Tell them to enter. 

{Magieians enier.) Mag.\ We are a party of })oor ma- 
gicians who beg as a favor to entertain the noble ladies and gen- 
tlemen. 

P. W. : It is as pleasant as water in the desert to see yonr 
performance. We are ready. 

{Magieians then bring in a large magie ho.v whieh they set 
in the eenter rjf the stage. The ehief niagieian wares a wand 
over the ho.r and out of it eoine alternately a little girl in a 
white dress and a hoy in nionhey eostunie. After a sufficient 
company has come out of the hox they perforin various drills. 
Varied colored lights should he throivn upon them as they are 
drilling to add to the effect. The hox should he placed over an 
invisihle door in the floor of the stage through which the hoys 
and girls make their entrance to the stage. After the drill the 
girls and hoys go hack into tJie ho.r. It will add to the merri- 
ment if some of the monkeys give the magicians a chase hefore 
they are rounded up in the ho.r. At the close of the perforni- 
ance, ichich is applauded. Potiphar's Wife rewards the magi- 
cians with coin. Exit Magicians.) 

(Enter Butler, a short, portly num) 

Sappo (addressing Butler) : My nncle is a very dear sight 
to my eyes this morning. May the gods grant yon good health I 

Butler: My Sappo is dear to me as my own danghter. And 
to you, noble ladies and gentlemen, a good morning. 

Sappo : Has my dear nncle enjoyed his morning walk, and 
l>erhai)s seen the rich merchandise brought from Arabia? Did 
you see the wonderful collection of necklaces and ornaments, 
uncle ? 

Butler: My eyes are old, my little lady. They are not for 
hunting jewelry. Only this morning my three daughters were 
talking to me about these trinkets. I came here to escape from 

14 



them. Peace, Sappo, peace is what I am lookiiij> for, not jeAv- 
elry. 

tSappo: lUit iiiK'le, you know J will be sixteen next new 
moon ; and I never had an Arabian necklace. 

P. W.: He will remember yon, Sappo, J can see it in his 
eyes. 

Butler: (), yon women! Necklaces at home and necklaces 
here. It is as n»y ••randfather said: ''Boy,'' he said, ''when Osi 
ris gave the little cnp of life to human beings, he poured two 
sweet drops into it : wine and women. lUit boy,'' he said, "re- 
member my word. If you love wine you will never have pros- 
perity, and if you love women you will never have peace." 

{ Pot i pilar enters and salutes his wife) 

Potiphar: Fairer than the dawn is my lady, the light of 
my life. 

P. W. : My lord is like the sun which gives light to the 
dawn. 

{Potiphar becomes engaged in matters of business. ^Slave 
brings scroll. P. W. arranges her head gear.) 

Potiphar: I am half dead with so much care. Ho, slave! 

(Slave enters) 

P. (addressing slare) : Bring me that young Hebrew. 

(Exit slare) 

P. {to his wife) : A likely youth is that shei)herd's son. 

P. W. : He is, my lord. 

P. : These shameless black men of l^^thiopia are a greedy 
lot. I would sooner trust a serpent by the wall than one of 
those knaves. 

P. W.: The Hebrew? 

P. : By the sacred Avhite bull, he is not like them. The gods 
favored me the morning I found him in the market place. I 
took a fancy to him as soon as I saw him. The merchants said 
they bought him of simple shepherds in Tanann. You can't be- 
lieve what those thieves say. Likely enough they stole him. He 
is no common slave. 

P. W. : I have observed him. 

P. : When I first got him, I set him at work with the scul- 
lion among the iron and copper vessels. No need to watch him 
at his work; so I set him to watch the slaves. The laziest knave 
among them will work for him. During all the time he has 

15 



been Avith me, my <>xhk1s have increased. I paid a princely ran- 
som of raiment and silver for that Hebrew, but by the ^?acred 
Bull I he is worth ten times the price. And now I have decided 
to appoint him over all my house. AAliat do you say, my fair 
one ? 

P. W. : My lord is both Avise and gracious. 

(J<t1arc enters and salutes) 

^laie : The Hebrew, my lord. 

(Joseph enters and makes oheisanee) 

Joseph: My lord, behold thy servant. 

I*, [stretehing out his hand) : Arise, stand. You have found 
favor in my sight. My affairs have become a burden to me and 
1 am determined to appoint you overseer over all my house and 
fields. Here are scrolls, here are the keys, and this my ring. 
T am }>lacing all things in your charge and Avhen the moon is 
full I will return and receive the accounts at your hands. 

Joseph (hou'iufj) : It is enough, my lord. Thy servant is 
unworthy such favor. Jehovah, the God of my father Jacob 
bless thee and all th}' house. The Lord who hath given me 
favor in thy sight, cast me forth out of his presence, if T be 
unfaithful to this stewardship. 

(During the interview aJjore, Fotiphars wife is unieh 
moiled.) 

P. (addressing his wife) : I leave at once with Pharaoh's 
army for the country of the south. The Hebrew will be at your 
service. Command him. FarcAvell, my little one. (kisses his 
wife.) (Eait Potiphar.) 

Joseph (to slarc) : (Jo bring me the reckoning of Ihe hire 
of the fields of your master, (to another slave) Go learn the 
number of measures of wlieat and barley in the storehouses. 
(to another slave) Fetch the tale of slaves Avho toil in the tields 
and those who toil in the house. 

(I'otijJiars wife during tJiis time has been engaged with 
her maids. ^Sends one out on an errand.) 

P. W.: (arehly, to Joseph) : Potiphar's steward was born 
to rule and not to serve. 

Joseph (to P. W.) : My lord has laid heavy responsibili- 
ties upon his unworthy servant. 

(During this and the following eonversation the servants 
and maids are htisy in the haekground. One of the servants 

16 



should irial'e love slyly to a maid. Light of desert in haclground 
is (jradually changing from daylight to red sunset then to a 
soft moonlight so arranged that the columns throw shadows 
across the interior of the room.) 

P. W. : The shoulders that bear those burdens are broad 
and strong-. 

Joseph : I was a shepherd hid. As a bo^' I bore my share 
of the kibors of camp and field. 

F. W. : Tell ns about your boyhood home. 

Joseph : My home was far away among the rugged moun- 
tains of Canaan. 

P. W. : How beautiful ! Do you know, often when T listen 
to the strange tales of travelers, I grow weary of the monotony 
of this Nile valley. But tell us about yourself. 

Joseph : There is little to tell. My father owned much cat- 
tle, which grazed upon the hills. He was a great man, held in 
reverence throughout all that region. 

(AH in the room show much interest in this narrntire.) 

P. W. : A worthy sire of a noble son. {admiringly.) 

Joseph {reininiscently) Often in the cool of the evening 
be would tell me the story of Abraham, our ancestor, who when 
ri young man left his father's home in Vr of riialdea and came 
to Canaan. 

P. W. : What fortune did he seek ? 

Joseph : He followed the inner light and sought only the 
true worship of Jehovah. 

P. W.: How wonderful! He must have been very great. 
l>u< why did you leave home? 

{Joseph, greatly nwred, does not answer. P. IT. rises and. 
by a sign disnnssinf/ the attendants, advances toward him.) 

P. ^V. (tenderly) : Forgive me ; I have pained you. I did not 
ask from idle curiosity. Oh, it is wonderful to strive for some- 
Ihing — to do something really worth doing! 

Joseph: Then you understand. As T listened to my father 
talk of Abraham and Isaac and of the i)romise that they should 
found a great nation which would worship Jehovah, my heart 
kindled Avith longing to achieve. T was Avilllng to tend the 
sheep, but 1 dreamed of doing something bigger and better. 

P. ^y. {moving nearer) : I too dream. 

Joseph: Do you believe in dreams? 

17 



p. W. : I do in yours. Your dieaiiis shall come true. You 
shall do great things. 

Joseph: But your dreams? 

P. W. (so (111/) : They are only a woman's fancy. 

Joseph : I would hear them. 

P. W. (pensirclij) : When the rosy dawn kisses the desert, 
the sand and rocks blush with beauty. Then the world glows 
Avith romance and with the promise of love. 

Joseph (u'itli entJmsidsin ) : I Imve seen it often .while 
tending the sheep. 

P. W. (sadly) : But when the sun is fully risen the ro- 
nmnce vanishes and there remain only the dreary wastes of 
desert sands, (hitterlij) That is the story of my life. I, the 
daughter of a priest, believed, as my foolish maid Sappo, that 
life is a romance, that love is real. It is not true. Life is a 
desert waste, {iceeps.) 

Joseph (with sympathy) : Do not say so. 1 l)elieve in Je 
hovah who orders all our life. 

..P. W. : And I {looking up archly throagh her tears) in 
such a man as you. 

Joseph: And Potiphar. 

P. W. [hitterly) : He cares for nothing but scrolls, and 
slaves, and arms, (tenderly) Do you not understand? I weary 
of idleness— of being amused, (dra icing nearer) As the lotus 
flower to the sun, my heart opens to you. Oh, Joseph, Joseph, 
(throtring her arms about his neck and looking eagerly into 
his eyes in tenderness) I love you! 

Joseph (holding her apart a little hat looking eagerly into 
her eyes) : Oh, my God, and thou art Potiphar's wife! 

P. W. (archly) : Nay, Joseph's. Potiphar leads an army 
— warfare has its perils. Should he return, our slaves are 
trustworthy; what have we to fear? (clinging to him) May 
we not love? 

^ Joseph : (holding her to him in one hrief emhrace and then 
e.jpcl aiming) : How can I do this great wickedness, and sin 
against God? (tears himself from her, lea ring his mantle in 
her hands adn rushes from the stage.) 

P. W. (in pasionate rage, wrings the mantle ahoiit her face 
and hands, then lifts her hands toward heaven in an impreca- 
tory oath: stamps her foot.) 

18 



p. W. : Guards I (Guards rush iu ) 

P. W.: Hieze the Hebrew and put liiui in ward! 

(Exit riuards) 

{P. W. iu a hurst of passiou tries to tear utautlc, then, 
ihrou'iufi it over dirau, treuihliug u:ith eiuotiou, siutiS down 
upon the floor, aud buries her faee iu, the uiautle. Her frauie 
(juicers with euiotiou aud sohs. Duriuf/ this actiuf/ hidden or- 
ehestra phnjs softli/ plaiuJive mnsie. Light (jradualhj lessens 
until the stage is iu darkness. Curtain falls. Lights of audi- 
torium are turued ou gradually.) 

Scene ^ 

(Scene a prison. Curtain rises rerealiug dnugeou euiptg. 
A dim, gragish light. The hack curtain, representing prison 
ivall, so arranged that it can part iu lite middle aud he drawn 
to the wings. Butler short and stout. Baker tall and thin. 
Enter Butler and Baker, wrangling.) 

Butler: Aud 1 tell you it is all in my family. My grand- 
father he dreamed — 

Baker: From drinking too much wine your grandfather 
dreamed. 

Butler: My grandfather said, "l^oy/' he said — 

Baker: I don't care what your grandfather said. 

Butler: "If you don't understand your dreams," said my 
grandfather, "I>oy," he said, "go and see a wise man, who can 
explain them to you. Boy,'' he said, "Anubis is sending you a 
warning and you must heed it." 

Baker: What is the matter Avith you? Is prison fare so 
rich that it makes you dream of your grandfather? 

Butler (mgsteriouslg) : I dreamed — 

Baker: Who cares what you dreamed, you thick headed 
idiot? 

Butler: It is as my grandfather said, "Boy,'' he said — 

Baker : Ye gods I Never mind what your grandfather said ; 
tell me about that dream of yours. Get it otf your mind and 
you will feel better I 

Butler: I dreamed — a vine grew up before me and it had 
three branches heavy with ripe grapes — and — and I took the 
clusters and made wine and poured the wine into Pharaoh's cup 

19 



— and — and I gave the cnp to I'liaraoli. As ni}^ grandfather 
said, ''Boy,'- he said, — 

Baket^ {relenting) : I also dreamed last night. — But 
what's a dream; all nonsense. 

Butler : My grandfather — 

Baker (tcith liorror) : I saw mj father's ghost last night. 
Do YOU suppose there is any meaning to our dreams? I wish 
some one would tell us. 

Butler: Come on, let us tell them to Joseph. He under- 
stands dreams and will explain ours, (departing) My grand- 
father said, "Boy," said he, — 

(E,rit Baker and Butler.) 

{Joseph enters walking as in a trance.) 

Joseph: Am I dreaming? [looks about) This foul dun- 
geon I {feels of the walls with liis hands) These cold walls. 
Would (lod it were a dream! (continues) Why has this evil 
come Tii)on me? 1 have wronged no man. Cursed be the day in 
which I was horn! Does (lod live and permit such injustice? 
The w]u)le Avorld has turned against me. . . My name is a 
by-word among men. . Where are now the dreams of my boy- 
hood? . . For hopes, slavery; for faithfulness, a dungeon; 
for honor, disgrace! . . If my brethren should hear, would 
i hey not rejoice? . . If my father, would he believe me inno- 
cent? . . Would Cod I were dead! 

{[''alls upon cot in a senii-trancc. During Uic Inince I he 
hack cnrtain, prison wall, disappears and flic tahleau appears 
in haekgrouuil, showing a white hackgrouud and white side 
wi}igs.) 

(A sijniholic representation of the inner conflict of doscph 
occasioned hy his great temptation. First sgniholic figure, fe- 
male, gaudily dressed. iSoft light thrown upon figure. Danc- 
ing music hg hidden orchestra. F. aS'. F. carries wiiie cup.) 

First Hgmholic Figure: Why this desijondency ? Youth is 
Dot for weeping, but foi- laughter. (\une drink of this cup of 
pleasure, Avhich mortals covet and Avhicli the gods have tilled 
for you; and foi- this dungeon you shall have a palace and hon- 
ors and beauty and love. 

(The light which has heretofore brought the First SguL 
Figure out into bold relief, now brings out a Second Symbolic 
Figure, female in white, while the First Symbolic Figure grad- 

20 



iially disappears in darkness. Second SijmhoUc Figure carries 
a tvhite lily. Soft hluc light thrown on Second Figure^ hidden 
music tender^ with religious element prominent.) 

Second Sijinholic Figure: Beautiful is the garden of pleas- 
ure and sweet the forbidden wine. But a serpent lurks be- 
neath the Howers and death hovers over the cup. Love that is 
l)ure as this lily gives joy unniingled with sorrow. Shall a man 
be unwilling to suffer for honor? Remember the faith of Abra- 
ham and the God of your father. Kemember the old home and 
the dreams of youth. These hold dear ; and the joy of noble aim, 
of victory over Avrong, of duty ])er formed, shall lead you up to 
the glory-crowned heights into the presence of the angels of 
(Jod. 

{71te lighi shining upon S. S. F. gradually lessens tvhile an 
in risible choir sings ((pproprialc music. Second Sym. Figure 
disappears in the darkness and the strenghtening light reveals 
the hackground a prison wall again.) 

{'Joseph rising as from a prayer-trance stands erect, his at- 
lifudc (fs well as liis words manifesting his victory.) 

Joseph : Sui-ely God is in this place aud I knew it not. I 
can not beti-ay my master and sin against God. 1 have been 
faithful to my stewardship; T have triumphed over temptation. 
No one can seize my lionor! No dungeon can enslave me! 1 
am free! 

{Curlaiu falls.) 

Act Three 

Scene 1 

[Pharaoh's court. A. scene of Egyptian splendor. Back- 
ground: Columns with a desert scene hehind showing Sphinx 
and Pyramids. Interior richly furnisJied — Throne. Light: 
full dayligJit over hackground. Enter Butler and Chiro.) 

Butler: 1 am trembling from head to foot and am hardly 
able to stand up. 

Chiro : By the holy cow tail, my noble butler, if your nose 
had less color, I would call you pale, too. What is the matter? 
Is your sweetheart gone? 

Butler: This is no joke, you empty headed peacock; this is 
horrible, just horrible! My best friend, the noblest soul in 
Egypt is dead, killed, executed by Pharaoh's order. He is as 

21 



dead as he ever can be,— hanging in a tree close to the Nile. 

Chiro : I don't like stories of that sort, by the holy cow 
tail, 1 don't. Bnt why did they hang him? 

Butler: Why, man, the cats, I tell yon; the cats are to 
blame for it all. 

Chiro: The cats! ('urses on yon, yon babbling ape I Yon 
shall pay dearly for jesting with one of Pharaoh's noblemen ! 
(Tries to strike him. Butler dodges and as a suppliant replies:) 

Butler: Don't be angry Avith Pharaoh's most wretched ser 
vant. Indeed, it is no jest. As my grandfather said to me, 
"Boy," he said, — 

Chiro: No, I will not kill yon, bnt have yon pnt in ward. 
For it is plain that wine has addled yonr brain. 

Butler: Hear me, noble Chiro. It is even as I said. My 
friend, the poor baker, is dead, hanged by order of Pharaoh; 
and all becanse of the cats. 

Chiro: The cats! yon snivelling idiot! AVhat did the cats 
have to do with yonr baker? x\ll Egypt knows That cats are 
sacred, sacred as the heart of the Holy Bnll. 

Butler: It is even so. No one dare tonch one of those sa- 
cred animals. But my friend the Baker — poor man — yon see 
the kitchens were alive with cats. And the poor man could 
not sleep day or night for all the noise and worry they made 
him. So he filled two sacks with the sacred scratchers and 
threw them into the Nile — music, holiness and all. 

Chiro: Most interesting story, most interesting! by the 
holy cow tail! But here is Sappo, {as ^appo enters) the light 
of my eyes, beautiful as the lotus on the water, ((r reels ^appo 
and engages in eonrersation irith her.) 

Butler {as a horn is heard in the distanee) : And here 
comes Pharaoh and all his court. It is as my grandfather said, 
''Boy," he said, — 

(A flourish of trumpets announees the roi/al proeession, 
u-hieh is ushered in in Oriental splendor. Pharaoh, nohlemen 
and ladies of the eourt. prominent atnong them Potiphar and 
Potiphar's wife; ladies in waiting, guards, attendants, shtres, 
astrologers and priests. Pharaoh aseends the throne.) 

Pharaoh : Once more we have summoned you, O wise and 
lioly men of Egypt, to tell us the meaning of our dreams. It 
was fitting that time should be given you for meditation and 

22 



observation of the stars. And this we have done. And now we 
are assembled and onr royal court to hear your wise utterances. 
For where in all the world are wise men to compare with the 
astrologers of Egypt? Speak, oh wise men, ye who read the lan- 
guage of the stars. 

Chief Astrologer: The stars, O great and noble I*haraoh, 
have during the long nights told their mystic stories to your 
faithful servants; but no ray of light have they given to illu- 
mine the mystery of your dreams. 

Pharaoh: It is not to the astrologers that the gods reveal 
their deepest mysteries, but to the priests, custodians of their 
sacred temples. Ye are the men who hear the voices of the im- 
mortals and discern hidden secrets What mean our dreams? 
Will there be a new war to add to the glory of Egypt and to pre- 
serve our name to all generations? Speak, oh priests of Egypt ! 

High Priest : We also, Oh most noble Pharaoh, have spent 
the nights in earnest prayer and the days in fasting, that our 
senses might be keen to reach deeper into the unknown future ; 
but no whisper from the immortals has reached our eager ears. 
There is no answer that will explain the dreams of Pharaoh. 

Pharaoh : The gods are angry. They show their presence, 
but will not enlighten the minds of their unworthy servants. I 
fear disaster for my people and know not how to meet it. Is 
there no one among all the wise men of Egypt who can inter- 
pret to us our dreams? 

Bntler {greatly excited) : Where is my head — I mean my 
mind — I mean my thoughts? — greatest of all great Pharaohs. 
I know such a wise man as Avell as I know my wine cup. I have 
known him all this time — only give me time to think. Let me 
see — he is the Hebrew — Joseph, the HebreAv, {at the mention of 
Joseph's name Potiphar's Wife starts in evident agitation.) who 
was thrown into prison. He had a mind clearer than all these 
wise men. He will interpret for Pharaoh his dream. 

Pharaoh: The gods have strange ways of revealing them- 
selves to men, and they choose their own messengers, {to Chiro) 
Let the Hebrew be brought in. 

{Chiro sends guards for Joseph) 

Pharaoh {to Potiphar) : I have heard of this man. Is he 
not your steward? Did you not tell us you had not found 
among all your servants one like him for wisdom and faithful- 



ness? {During thi.'^ conversation the agitation of Potiphars 
Wife increases.) 

Potiphar: It is even so, noble riiaraoli. 

Pharaoh : How then is it that he lies in ward? for did not 
the bntler say this Hebrew was thrown into prison? 

Potiphar: {Potiphar' s Wife leans edgcrly forward and 
watches her husband intently, fearful of his reply) The bntler 
spoke trnly, oh noble Pharaoh. Yet Joseph, the Hebrew, is a 
most valnable servant. Do we not pnt bits into the months of 
the Arabian horses that they may better serve us? And no 
better horses than those come into Pharaoh's stables. 

{Potiphar s Wife shon\s evident signs of relief at this evas- 
ive answer of her hushand.) 

Pharaoh: A wise general indeed is my good Potiphar. 

Slave : The Hebrew, Oh noble Pharaoh. 

{Potiphar s Wife watches the entrance eagerly.) 

Pharaoh: Let him come in. NVe will see whether he can 
ox]>lain to ns onr dreams. 

{Enter Joseph between two guards. Potiphar s Wife gazes 
at Joseph eagerly. Their eyes for an instant meet. P. W., ov- 
ercome in that instant by her love for Joseph starts as though 
to go to him. Then reniemhcring her disgrace and in evident 
shame and confusion at the sight of Joseph, whom she has 
irronged^ draws her veil over her head and covering her face 
slips quietly out of the court.) 

JosejJh {making obeisance to Pharaoh) : Long live IMia- 
raoh, great and noble Pharaoh I 

Pharaoh: A¥e have dreamed and no one can interpret it. 
And it has been told to ns that yon understand the mysteries 
and can tell the meaning of dreams. For this reason we have 
sent for yon. 

Joseph: It is not in me, O noble IMiaraoh. (iod Avill give 
l*haraoh an answer of peace. 

Pharaoh {reminiscently) : In my dream I stood upon the 
brink of the river. And behold, seven cattle, fat and well fa- 
vored, came nj) ont of the river and fed in the reed grass. And 
behold, seven other cattle came up after them — i)oor and ill 
favored, such as were never seen in all the land of Egypt. And 
the lean cattle ate up the seven fat cattle, but were still ill fa- 
vored as at the beginning. So I awoke. 

24 



{Exvlainatlon!^ of ironflcr on [utrt of aiteiKldiifs.) 

Chiro: The Hebrew cannot solve lluit riddle. Seven lean 
cattle devour seven fat cattle, and are not one whit fatter for 
the meal, by the holy cow tail I 

Butler: It is even as my ^randfther said, 'i>oy,'' he said, — 

PharaoJi {conthmiiuj) : While \ was pondering over this 
dream, 1 fell asleej), and dreamed again. Behold, seven ears 
grew n}>on one stalk, full and good. And behold, seven ears 
withered thin and blasted with the east wind sprang np after 
them. And the thin ears swallowed w\) the seven good ears. We 
liave told our dreams nnto the magicians and priests, wise and 
sacred men of l]gypt; and they can not declare nnto ns our 
dreams. Now tell ns if yon can the meaning. 

Joseph : The dream of riiaraoh is one : Avhat (iod is abont 
to do, he hath declared nnto Pharaoh. The seven good cattle 
are seven years. And the seven good ears are seven years ; the 
dream is one. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty 
thronghont all Egypt. And the seven lean and ill favored cat- 
tle and also the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind — 
they are seven years of famine. For after the seven years of 
plent}' shall arise seven years of famine. And the famine shall 
consume the land. It shall be very grievous. 

(Uagieians and priests in hiijh dtidgeon retire erestf alien.) 

Chiro: By the holy cow tail I Wise men indeed! Tus- 
todians of the secrets of the gods I 

Pharaoh : The favor of God is upon the Hebrew, who has 
declared unto us our dream. The years of plenty are welcome; 
but tell us, how can the land endure seven years of famine? 

Joseph : Let Pharaoh ai)})oint overseers, and let Pharaoh 
choose a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of 
Egypt. And let them gather the surplus of the good years that 
come. And the food shall be for a store for the land against 
the years of famine ; that the land perish not through famine. 

Pharaoh {to Joseph) : You have spoken wisely. It shall 
be done as you have shown. (to eourt) fan we finrt another 
such man as this one in whom the spirit of God is? 

Xohles {together) : He is worthy. 

Pharaoh {to Joseph) : Forasmuch as God has showed you 
all this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. We, there- 
fore, appoint you over all the land of Egypt, {to eourt) Only 

25 



in the throne shall we be greater than Joseph, the Hebrew I 

{Pharaoh takes the signet ring off his finger and puts H on 
the finger of Joseph. The serrants hring roJtes, and a gold cliain 
with whieh Potiphar on hehalf of the eourt of Pharaoh adorns 
him. Joseph kneels at the foot of the throne and kisses the hem 
of Pharaoh's garment, then rising addresses Pharaoh.) 

Joseph : Thy servant was a shepherd lad and God at the 
hand of the great king hath raised him to power. The God of 
my father Jacob bless thee, Oh noble Pharaoh, and thy honse 
and all thy kingdom. And hath not God indeed raised u\) 
Pharaoh and Joseph thy unworthy servant to save the people? 
Thy i^eople, oh king, hunger for bread, for the true bread and 
know not that they are in w\int; and famine consumes them. 
Yet it is the purpose of God to feed them. Gorn and meat shalt 
thou give them for their bodies : — yet are they better than the 
beasts that perish. And God provides bread for their souls. 
{While Joseph speaks TahJean 8 appears.) 

Tableau 3. The True Bread 

{Baekground disappears as in prison scene showing white 
hack ground and imngs. From the right wing a soft hlue light 
is turned on. From the left wing seven s\jml)olic figures in 
white in a train and at regular intervals proceed slowly across 
the stage towards the hlue light. As this procession is in prog- 
ress Joseph completes his arplanation of the true hread. 

This tahleau presents a deeper meaning of Pharaoh's 
dreams: that provision should he made not only for bread hut 
also for the higher life. 

Symbolic Figures : 

1. Carrying Palm Loyalty 

2. Carrying Scales Honor 

3. Finger on Lips Kindness 

4. Carrying Lily Love 

5. Carrying Cross Courage 

6. Carrying Torch Faith 

7 Carrying Palm . Peace) 

Joseph {continuing) : 

Of loyalty to Truth and sacred duty ; 
Of Honor, that betrays no trust; 
Of Kindness, that conquers hate ; 
26 



Of Love, that is pure and never fails; 
Of Courage, that can suffer wrong ; 
Of Faith, that leads to the heights of God ; 
Of Peace, that crowneth all. 
Let not the people perish, Oh noble T*haraoh ! Give them 
the true bread! 

(Curtain falls.) 

Tableau 4. The Brethren .Joiimeyiii^ to E^ypt 

{Backf/round and ivitujs irhifc. One decoration^ palm 
trees and desert groicth indieatin</ an oasis, a little to right of 
center of stage. Wa^'nt yelloiv light from ceiling. A'o foot- 
lights, just enough light from wings to prevent shadou-s. 

Ten brethren pass slowlg across stage, hearing htirdens. 
They return and after lighting a camp fire retire upon ground 
in foreground as in sleep. From the right wing of haclground 
a soft hlue light begins to shine. From the left wing a soft 
red morning light, both lights growiitg gradually stronger. 
Whistling of bird is heard. Red light grows stronger and from 
the left rear wing a train of dream figures clothed in white en- 
ters. Joseph the lad in the center. As he reaches the center 
of the rear stage his white mantle drops from him disclosing 
him in the coat of many colors. The pgures kneel as in prayer. 
Joseph extends his hands as in blessing. Curtain falls.) 

(Curtain falls.) 

Act Four 

Scene 1 

(Egyptian market place. A scene of activity. Egyptians 
purchasing grain. Stewards busy measuring out grain and re- 
ceiving coin. Joseph richly dressed overseeing all. Slaves.) 

(Slave enters and salutes Joseph.) 

Slave: There are men without, my Lord, who come from 
a far country seeking corn. They say they are Hebrew shep- 
herds. 

(Joseph is agitated by this announconent.) 

Joseph: Command the men to be brought in. 

(Ewit slave returning with Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, 
Issacher, Yjcbulon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, clothed as shep- 
herds, travel stained and carrying packs on their backs.) 

(Brethren make obeisance to Joseph.) 

27 



Joseph {roughly) : From whence do you come? 

Reuben : From the hind of Canaan to bny food. 

Joseph: Yon are spies; to see the nakedness of the hind 
are you come. 

Reuhen : Ntiy, my Lord, but to buy food are thy servants 
come. We thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one 
man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this 
day Avith our father, and one is not. 

Joseph : That is a likely story. l»y the life of Pharaoh, 
you are spies. Ho guards! Surround these men I 

{Guards seize. Exit Joseph, greatly inorecL) 

Judah {to other brethren, aside) : Shall a man hide his 
sin or hoi)e to escai)e the punishment of Jehovah? We were 
guilty concerning the lad, our brother Jose})h. SVe saw the 
distress of his soul when he besought us and we would not 
hear. Therefore is this distress come upon us. 

Reuben : Spake I not unto you saying, ''Do not sin against 
this child I'- and ye would not hear? Therefore also behold 
his blood is required of us. 

{Joseph enters) 

Joseph: You are spies and well deserve to be cast into 
prison. But this will I do: Go, bring your youngest brother 
and we will prove your words, whether they be true or false. 
One of .you {pointing to Hi)}ieon) we will keep in ward; and by 
the life of Pharaoh, if you are spies and return not with your 
youngest brother, the blood of this man will I requite of you. 
Upon your heads be his blood. 

{Simeon is bound. Curtain falls.) 

Scene 2 

{JosepJis House. Joseph alone.) 

Joseph: Can I endure this suspense longer? It is a long 
journey to Canaan and they carried much food. Yet even so 
they should now soon return. My father I — Oh, is he yet alive? 
]>enjaminl I shall see him. God speed their return! 

{Slave enters) 

Slave: The noble Chiro, my lord. 

Joseph: Let him enter. {Exit slave. Enter Chiro.) 

Chiro : My Lord, Potiphar sent me from the market place 
with some men — strangers— who would see you. They are a 

28 



curious lot, by the holy cow tail! Shepherds! [in great dis- 
dain) 

Joseph: Bring thein in, (Jhiro. 

{('Jtiro tislters in Reuben leading Uenjainin, Judali, Jssa- 
(her, Yj'halon, Dan, Xaphtali, Uad, Aslier. Joseph slioirs great 
emotion aside.) 

{/Iheij ntahe oheisanee and present nionejj and presents to 
Joseph.) 

Heahen : My Lord, thy servants came to buy food and as 
we were journeying home we found every man his money in his 
sack's mouth. Now behold we have brought double money and 
these presents, and lo, this our youngest brother, [presenting 
lienjamin) for thy servants are not spies, but honest men. 

Joseph : [eagerly) Is your father well, the old man of 
whom you spoke? Is he yet alive? 

Reuben: Thy servant, our father, is well; he is yet alive. 

Joseph [taking Benjamin's hand) : Is this your youngest 
brother of whom you spake? 

Reuben: It is he. 

Joseph [with diffieulty eontroUing liis emotions) : God 
be gracious unto thee, my son. 

Joseph [handing scroll to servant) : Go, bring the He- 
brew from the prison house. 

Joseph: Ho slave! [enter slave) These men have jour- 
neyed far and this little one is weary with the journe^^ Let 
food be prepared; set on bread. Let none go hungry while 
there is corn in Egypt. [Curtain falls.) 

Scene 3 

[Joseph's House. During tJie interval betiveen scene 2 and 
scene 3 the eleven brothers after feasting at Joseph's house 
have set out on their return to Canaan. By Joseph's secret 
conunand the purchase money for the grain which they carried 
back with them is placed in the mouth of every man's sack. In 
addition Joseph's silver cup, which was supposed to he a cup of 
divination, is placed in the sack of Benjamin. When they have 
been gone a day's journey, Joseph sends officers after thon de- 
manding the cup. They plead innocent of the charge and of- 
fer to surrender that one of the company in whose possession 
the cup may be found. To their dismay the cup is found in 

29 



Ben jaw in- s sack. They are hronght hack to Joseph under 
strong guard. Present Joseph, Guards Attendants, Slaves.) ■ 

Joseph {to guard) : Wlmt tidings do you bring from those 
men of Canaan? ])id I not command von to bring them with 
you? 

Guard : Yea, my Lord. We overtook them by the way that 
goes past the great Pyramid. 

Joseph: And the cup, my cup of silver — did you find it? 

Guard: Yea, my lord, the cup is found. In the sack of 
the youngest we found it. 

Joseph: And the men, where are they? 

Guard : They stand without, my lord. 

Joseph: Bring them in. {Exit guard) 

Joseph {to attendants) : I will be alone. 

{Exit attendants) 

{Enter guard heavily armed ushering in brethren carrying 
their sacks. Juddh leading with Benjamin, who carries the 
cup. They fall before Joseph on the ground.) 

Joseph : What is this deed that you have done ? Did you 
think to escape? Did you not knoAv that such a man as I can 
divine? 

Judah {rising to speak) : What shall we say unto my 
lord? How can we clear ourselves? God hath found out the 
iniquity of thy servants. Behold we are my lord's bondmen; 
both we and he also in whose hand the cup was found. 

Joseph: The man in whose hand the cup is found shall be 
my bondnmn ; but as for you, get you up in peace to your father. 

Judah {approaching and taking hold of Joseph-s knees, 
supplicates) : O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak 
a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against 
thy servant, for thou art even as IMiaraoh. 

My lord asked his servants, ''Have ye a father or a 
brother?" And we said unti my lord, ''We have a fther, an 
old man, and a child of his old age, a little one. And his broth- 
er is dead. He alone is left of his mother, and his fatlier lov- 
eth him. 

x\nd thou saidst unto tliy servants, "Bring him down unto 
me, that I may set mine eyes upon liim." And we said unto my 
lord, "If the lad sliould leave his father, his father would die!" 

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And thou saidst, ''Except your youngest brother come down 
with you, ye shall see my face no more." 

And when we returned unto thy servant our father Ave 
told him the words of my lord. 

And our father said, ''Go again, buy us a little food." And 
we said, "We cannot go down except our youngest brother be 
with us." And thy servant our father said, "Me have you be- 
reaved of my children. Joseph is not, and Simeon is not; and 
ye will take Benjamin away." 

And I thy servant became surety for the lad unto my fa- 
ther saying, ''If 1 bring him not unto thee, then shall I bear 
the blame forever." 

Now therefore when 1 come to thy servant my father, and 
the lad is not with us, seeing that his life is bound up in the 
lad's life; it will come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not 
with us, that he will die. And thy servants will bring down 
the gray hairs of our father with sorrow to the grave, (rising) 

Now therefore, let me, I pray thee abide instead of the lad 
a bondman to my lord. And let the lad go up with his breth- 
ren. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad be not with 
me? 

{Joseph^ greatly agitated by this plea, motions guards to 
leave. Ex-it guards.) 

Joseph (weeping and throiving himself upon Judah's 
neck) : I am Joseph, thy brother. Doth my father live? 

(The brethren shrink from him in fear.) 

Joseph: Gome near me, I pray you. 

Simeon : We have sinned. Thy bondmen shall we be. 

(Joseph embraces the brethren in turn. To Benjamin he 
shows most affection.) 

Joseph: Nay, say not so. Ye are my brethren. Be not 
grieved with yourselves that ye sold me hither. God did send 
me before you to preserve life. Lo, the God of our fathers gave 
me victory over temj^tation that througli me he might work a 
mighty deliverance. 

But haste you ! Go up to my father and say unto him, 
"Joseph, thy son liveth." And bring down my father unto me. 

(Curtain falls.) 



31 



Tableau 5. Reunion and Fulfillment of 
Joseph's Dreams 

(B(H-l-(/i'oun(l (1 11(1 iriii(/s irhiic. Yclloir liylit. Jacoh, fce- 
hJc and leaninfj on f^taff, in rich pafriiwclut} (Jress, sonfi, ivivcs, 
children, servants, in rich shepherd dress, u large coinpanij, 
pass sloirlij upon stage as jonrneijing. t^ons and attendants 
leading. Jacoh enters with Benjamin. They form revere ntli/ 
in center of stage as in worship. Jacoh in center raises hands 
as in prayer and then in Messing apon the company, irhile eve- 
ning hynvn is sung in hackg^^ound. Light growing softer. Jacoh 
then, proceeds to front and side of stage and starts across. 
Others in hackground. At this moment Joseph, richly dressed, 
enters at opposite side near front. He catches sight of his fa- 
ther u'Jio also sees liirn. A moutent of searching ga^e, and then 
they approach each other, Joseph with strong dignified steps, 
Jacoh eagerly hat tremhlingly. They emhrace and weep. Jacoh 
lifts ap his hands toward heaven as in gratitude. 

Joseph and his father walk together toivard the hack- 
ground. All except hrethren quietly withdraw. Brethreu move 
to same place occnpied in Tahleau 1. Bear curtain at this time 
disappears disclosing same angels and altar fires as in Tahleau 
1, except hackground and wings are white. Brethren kneel 
toward, altar. Jacoh also kneels. Joseph taking same position 
as in Tahleau 1, takes a tray of hread from one of the angels 
and extends it toward the kneeling figures. 

Light: During first part of this scene soft red sunset 
light. During the organizing of the tahleau the light changes 
to a soft hlue, with a stcreopticon thronging starlike figures 
over stage.) 

(Curtain falls.) 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




